Baby shoes with decoratable soles

ABSTRACT

Shoes for pre-walking babies are provided with a decoratable surface on the outermost layer of the outsole. The surface can consist of any material to include, but not limited to, fabrics and paints, that provide a reusable surface and can be temporarily decorated with expressive words, markings, symbols, drawings using a non-permanent writing implement. When finished, the decoration can be removed in order for the surface to be reused. Another embodiment consists of a surface with one adhesive side and the other with a surface that is pre-decorated, decoratable, or a combination of the two. Once finished, the decoratable surface can be easily peeled off to reveal the original outsole of the shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/290,841, filed 2016 Feb. 3 by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to shoes and other footwear. More particularly, this invention relates to shoes which have surfaces on the outsole thereof which can be decorated in a temporary and repeatable manner.

The following is a tabulation of prior art that presently appears to be relevant:

U.S. Patents Pat. No. Kind Code Issue Date Panentee 7,987,619 B2 2011 Aug. 2 McKinney 7,661,208 B2 2010 Feb. 16 McKinney 4,627,110 A 1986 Dec. 9 Tengs

U.S. Patent Application Publications Publication Nr. Kind Code Publ. Date Applicant 20100107441 A1 2010 May 6 McKinney 20090013560 A1 2009 Jan. 15 McKinney 20050022431 A1 2005 Feb. 3 Spitzer-Cohn 2005011420 A2 2005 Feb. 10 Spitzer-Cohn 2005011420 A3 2005 Jun. 16 Spitzer-Cohn

Foreign Patent Documents Foreign Doc. Nr. Cntry Code Kind Code Pub.Dt App or Panentee 1795084 EP B1 2011 Oct. 19 Brady, Peter et al.

Baby shoes are produced in mass quantities with similar features, styles and functions, resulting in a loss of expression, uniqueness and individuality. Selecting expressive baby shoes is restricted to the limited choices currently available. There is a growing trend for the desire of individuality and distinctness for occasions that include, but are not limited to, photo sessions for pregnancy and baby announcements, holiday cards, baby shower novelty items, capturing important milestones and stages.

Many individuals enjoy expressing themselves through messaging on clothing or non-clothing ornamentation, such as shoes. The expression can be subtle or explicit. For example, t-shirts are commonly adorned with written words or symbols to convey messages as outlined in U.S. Patent Number US1986/4627110. Baby shoes are also personalized with the baby's name and/or date of birth printed on the soles. However, the permanence of a single message, symbol, design or idea is prohibitive of creative expression. Decals, stickers and other adhesives are available for placement on the outsole of shoes, however, these are intended to be worn by adults for special events such as weddings. There is nothing available for babies and there exists a need for wearable expression, which can be readily modified by an individual.

Many individuals enjoy wearing unique footwear as a form of expression. By wearing such unique footwear, a form of non-verbal expression is afforded to the individual. In one prior art instance, the ability to convey some form of customized message has been combined with footwear, such as in the Spitzer-Cohn decoratable shoe which is the subject of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2005/0022431. This decoratable shoe has a chalkboard marking surface on side portions of the shoe so that a user can write with chalk directly upon that side surface.

Another prior art instance, the McKinney shoe with writing surface which is the subject of U.S. Patent Number US2011/7987619, details a writing surface on the side of the shoe and a location for the storage of the chalk.

While such decoratable shoes generally allow an individual to provide a customized message or other expression directly on the shoe, these decoratable shoes are not entirely satisfactory in achieving all of the above outlined purposes. In particular, the Spitzer-Cohn decoratable shoe and the McKinney shoe with writing surface do not make use of the outer shoe sole surface because these are meant for adults and the messaging would get worn out from walking. These prior arts specify the use chalk or dry-erase writing implements, however, it excludes other non-permanent writing implements as well as adhesive decor.

Additionally, when babies are non-walkers, they are commonly placed in baby carriers, strollers, and are mostly held. The soles on the bottom of the shoes are entirely exposed and in plain view. Manufacturers have added various textures, colors, or patterns however, these are permanent and do not use the available ample room for more personalized adornment, customization, and endless means for expression.

Growing families are commonly concerned about how the new sibling(s) will interact with each other. Older siblings want to participate and be included in the process of bringing home and taking care of a new baby. Usually young children and toddlers enjoy using stickers, coloring, doodling, writing and offering their creations as a gift to others. A product is needed where an older child can offer such creative expressions to a new sibling and help cultivate this bond. There exists a need for a baby shoe with a decoratable surface that can provide a desired message or other expression, and be modified when an individual wishes to alter the appearance of the outer shoe sole.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Important milestones in a baby's life are commonly captured using month-to-month stickers, posters, chalkboards, and various other props in photos. It is known in prior art that stickers become easily detached by curious babies and cannot be properly reaffixed. T-shirts have only permanent messages. Shoes adorned with the baby's name and date of birth also have permanent message displayed and cannot be redecorated. Posters cannot be easily created or updated and require advanced planning. Chalkboards are heavy and have the risk of falling and injuring a small, active baby. Posters and chalkboards, likewise, cannot be transported while the baby is mobile in a stroller or baby carrier. Also, an opportunity for messaging or decorating has been missed when babies are in strollers and baby carriers since the soles of the shoes are clearly seen but bare. Shoes with a decoratable surface on the outsole are an easier, practical, more convenient, and safer means to personalize and capture the messaging of precious moments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a baby shoe in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a baby shoe in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a temporary, reusable layer that can be applied to the outsole and peeled off when not in use.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a baby shoe in accordance with the invention illustrating that a temporary, reusable layer can be applied to the outsole and easily peeled off when not in use.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a baby shoe in accordance with the invention illustrating a user writing on the outsole surface with a non-permanent writing implement.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view and bottom partial perspective view of an embodiment of a baby shoe in accordance with the invention as worn by a pre-walking baby propped against a pillow on a couch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various figures, reference numeral 100 is directed to a baby shoe (FIG. 1) which can be written upon with a writing implement 520 (FIG. 5) to include but not limited to chalk, pens, markers, and pencils. In this way, decorations D (FIGS. 5 and 6) can be made upon the shoe 100 so that a variety of different expressions can be temporarily applied. When the decoration D is to be changed or no expression is desired for the shoe 100, the decoration D can be removed with a traditional soft and moist tissue or towel to wipe the surface clean.

The shoe 100 generally includes an upper 120 portion which is constructed to hold the shoe 100 onto a foot of a wearer. Below the upper 120, a foot contacting surface 130 is provided to support a foot of a wearer. Below the foot contacting surface 130 is an outsole 110 that extends the entire length and width of the bottom of shoe 100. The outsole 110 is comprised of partially or entirely of a decoratable surface 140 (FIG. 2).

Referencing FIG. 1, details of the various structures of the shoe 100 are described, according to this embodiment. The upper 120 is shown in the general form of a sneaker style shoe with the upper 120 directly attaching to the foot contacting surface 130. However, the upper 120 could have a limitless variety of different configurations and still operate according to this invention. The upper 120 could be open, such as for a sandal, or substantially or entirely enclosed. Thus, the baby shoe 100 may include styles such as a Mary Jane shoe, boot, sandal, moccasin, loafer, slipper, crib shoe, boat shoe, casual shoe, and dress shoe, but not limited to these particular styles. The upper 120 can have any configuration desired, provided that the upper 120 provides the general function of keeping the shoe 100 upon the foot of the wearer.

The foot contacting surface 130 defines that portion of the shoe 100 upon which the foot directly rests when the shoe 100 is being worn. The foot contacting surface 130 is somewhat soft and flexible so that the foot of the wearer can be fully supported even when feet of different specific geometries are being supported by the foot contacting surface 130. Below the foot contacting surface 130, there is material placed directly, separately, partially or entirely on the outsole 110 made of a decoratable surface 140 to include but not limited to chalkboard fabric, chalkboard paint, whiteboard/dry-erase material, and any material that can be decorated D (FIG. 5) via non-permanent writing implements 520 to include but not limited to pens, markers, chalk, pencils, and then erased when no longer desired.

An embodiment of this invention consists of the decoratable surface 140 (FIGS. 1 and 2) formed of chalkboard or blackboard fabric that can either be applied directly below the foot contacting surface 130 to serve as the outsole 110 of the shoe 100, or placed under the outsole 110 to create an extra layer. The inventor's experimentation has shown that chalkboard fabric can be written upon with standard chalk or liquid chalk markers and provide a high contrast image. When the chalk is ready to be erased, a traditional damp paper or fabric cloth can be readily utilized to wipe away the decorations D. After such wiping occurs, no residual image remains upon the chalkboard fabric forming the outsole 110 or other portions of the decoratable surface 140 of the shoe 100. Further experimentation by the inventor or others may reveal other materials which provide at least adequate performance with non-permanent writing implements 520. While an embodiment for this invention calls for formation of the writing surface from chalkboard fabric, this invention should not be so limited to just this one material or any specific color, unless particularly so restricted by the claims of this invention.

By way of example, chalkboard paint could be used to form the decoratable surface 140, allowed to dry, and colored chalk or liquid chalk markers could be used on this area to write and decorate. One unique combination is to use the paint in various colors to create shapes on the bottom of a baby shoe 100 that do not cover the entirety of the outsole 110. Other colors of paints or fabrics or materials could also be used. The preferred writing implement 520 is such that is non-permanent and can be readily removed from decoratable surfaces.

In use and operation, and with particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, basic details of the use of an embodiment of the shoe 100 are described. Initially and with reference to FIG. 5, the user would hold the shoe 100 in one hand 400 with the decoratable surface 140 facing up, and hold the writing implement 520 with the other hand 400. The user would then utilize the non-permanent writing implement 520 to adorn the decoratable surface 140 with decorations D. Once the shoe 100 has been decorated with decorations D, the shoe 100 is inserted on the foot of a pre-walking baby 600 (FIG. 6). The shoe 100 would be worn specifically by babies who are not yet standing or walking, for novelty purposes, under supervision, and for a limited time. When the user would like to change the decorations D, they can be readily removed, such as by utilizing a traditional soft, damp tissue or cloth against the decoratable surface 140 to remove any non-permanent markings. A different decoration D can then be provided or the shoes 100 can be left undecorated.

An alternative embodiment to this invention consists of a layer, such as a decal or sticker, with a decoratable surface 140 that has one adhesive side 300 and one non-adhesive side 310 (FIGS. 3 and 4), and is placed over the outsole 110 either partially or in its entirety. In this embodiment example, the decoratable surface 140 is easily removable and reusable by peeling it from the outsole of any baby shoe. The non-adhesive side 310 contains the decoratable surface 140 and can consist of: a surface that has been permanently pre-decorated, a reusable writing surface, or a combination of the two. When the user desires to remove this temporary decoratable surface 140, one uses their hand 400 to peel the layer off (FIG. 4) and either place another one or leave the baby shoe undecorated.

This disclosure is provided to reveal an embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a permanently decorated fashion or in a fashion which allows a reusable writing surface while still providing some form of attachment to the shoe, unless specifically restricted. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying messages on a shoe outsole, the method including the steps of: providing a shoe with an upper portion adapted to support a foot therein; providing a foot contacting surface located below said upper portion; and providing a ground contacting surface on an outsole on the bottom of the shoe adapted to be decorated upon; wherein the ground contacting surface comprises an erasable and reusable writing surface.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The method of claim 1 including the further step of using a non-permanent writing implement to form a non-permanent decoration by decorating the erasable and reusable writing surface on the ground contacting surface and displaying said decoration for a period of time.
 4. The method of claim 3 including the further step of releasing the non-permanent decorations from the reusable writing surface therefrom when wiped.
 5. Repeating the methods of claims 2 through 4 for a new decoration.
 6. The method of claim 1 including the further step of applying a layer consisting of one adhesive side and one surface that is pre-decorated on the ground contacting surface.
 7. The method of claim 6 including the further step of peeling off the layer when finished.
 8. The method of claim 1 including the further step of applying a layer decorated on the ground contacting surface consisting of one adhesive side and one surface that is adapted to be partially pre-decorated and contains a decoratable surface.
 9. Repeating the methods of claims 6 through 8 including the further step of peeling off the layer when finished.
 10. A baby shoe with a decoratable surface, comprising in combination: an upper portion; a foot contacting surface located below said upper portion to support a foot thereon; an outsole below said foot contacting surface having a ground contacting surface; wherein said outsole is the outermost surface of the bottom of said shoe; wherein said ground contacting surface is comprised of partially or entirely with a reusable writing surface material; and wherein said ground contacting surface is comprised of material that is adapted to be repeatedly decorated.
 11. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 10 wherein the reusable writing material on the ground contacting surface comprises fabric.
 12. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 11 wherein the fabric comprises of chalkboard or blackboard fabric.
 13. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 10 wherein the reusable writing material on the ground contacting surface comprises paint.
 14. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 13 wherein the paint comprises chalkboard or blackboard paint.
 15. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 10 wherein the reusable writing surface comprises of whiteboard or dry-erase material.
 16. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 10 wherein the ground contacting surface comprises one adhesive removeable surface adapted to be attached to the bottom of the shoe and easily removed.
 17. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 16 wherein the removable surface is pre-decorated with a reusable writing surface.
 18. The baby shoe, in accordance with claim 16 wherein the removable surface is pre-decorated without a reusable writing surface. 